Float plane hoist

ABSTRACT

A float plane hoist is provided herein comprising, in combination, a frame having spaced-apart, upstanding legs, a pontoon support means which is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame and a foldable winch for moving the pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly. The winch is foldable to provide clearance for the elevators of the float plane when the float plane is being loaded and unloaded from the pontoon support means.

nited States Patent Godbersen Feb.8, 1972 [54] FLOAT PLANE HOIST [72] Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen, 710 Circle Drive, lda

Grove, Iowa 51445 [22] Filed: July 27, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 58,328

I52] US. Cl. ..214/1A,l87/8.72 [Si 1 Int. Cl. (58] Field of Search ..2l4/l, l A; 254/186 HC,148;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,220,585 11/1965 McCartney et al. ..214/5 12 3,275,l67 9/1966 Godbersen ..2l4/l A Primary ExaminerRobert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Henderson & Strom [57] ABSTRACT A float plane hoist is provided herein comprising. in combination, a frame having spaced-apart. upstanding legs. a pontoon support means which is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame and a foldable winch for moving the pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly..The winch is foldable to provide clearance for the elevators of the float plane when the float plane is being loaded and unloaded from the pontoon support means.

4 Claims, 8 Figures PATENIED FEB 81972 SHEEY 2 OF 2 Mum/m? 55 20 A. GODBEESEA/ FLOAT PLANE nolsT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a float plane hoist having a foldable winch.

In many areas of this country and in Canada, float planes are used extensively. When the plane is on the water, it is generally anchored much the same way that a boat is anchored. In high winds, the pontoons may be damaged by the action of the waves and the plane may be damaged by the constant vibrations caused by the waves.

A number of boat hoists have been patented among which are Godbersen, US. Pat. No. 3,169,644; Smith, US. Pat. No. 3,216,704; Rutter, US. Pat. No. 3,362,172; Smith, US Pat. No.2,963,l76; Schollard, US. Pat. No. 3,220,196; and Vitter, US. Pat. No. 3,402,828. It is significant that none of these boat hoists have been adapted for utilization with float planes.

Several problems are encountered in designing a float plane hoist which are not encountered in designing boat hoists. The hoist must be stabilized to prevent the wind from overturning the hoist. The pontoons must be supported properly to prevent damage thereto and the winch means must be easily moved from the path of the elevators of the plane during the loading and unloading of the float plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a float plane hoist comprising a frame having spaced-apart, upstanding legs; pontoon support means secured to the frame and generally horizontally disposed, the pontoon support means being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame and foldable winch means for moving the pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly. The foldable winch means comprises a support means secured to he frame, a horizontal pivot axle affixed to the support means and having a combination sprocket and cable drum rotatably secured thereon, and an upstanding member rotatably secured, at its lower end, on the pivot axle. On the upper end of the upstanding member, a winch wheel axle is rotatably secured and has rigidly affixed thereto a winch wheel and a second sprocket. A chain connects the sprockets and a cable connects the cable drum and the pontoon support means. A keeper member is utilized to secure the upstanding member in either an upstanding position or in a folded position.

An object of this invention is to provide a float plane hoist wherein the plane can be loaded and unloaded without damage to the elevators.

Another object is to provide a float plane hoist wherein the pontoons are not damaged in removing the plane from the water and the pontoons are securely supported.

A further object is to provide a stabilized float plane hoist which will not overturn in high winds.

Yet another object is to provide a float plane hoist wherein the winch means is foldable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the float plane hoist illustrating the plane being floated onto the pontoon support means and the winch means in a folded position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the float plane hoist with the plane supported thereon and the winch means in upstanding position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the float plane hoist and a dock adjacent thereto.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the winch means in upstanding position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the winch means of FIG. 4 in folded position.

FIG. 6 is a magnified, cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 illustrating the sprocket and cable drum arrangement.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 further illustrating the sprocket and cable drum arrangement.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the winch axle and sprocket taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the float plane hoist of this invention is indicated generally at 11 in FIGS. l-3. The float plane hoist 11 comprises a frame 12 having spaced-apart legs 13, pontoon support means 14 secured to the frame 12, and foldable winch means 16 for raising and lowering the pontoon support means 14. The float plane hoist 11 is adapted for placement adjacent a dock 17 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

More specifically, the frame 12 is of rectangular configuration in top view (FIG. 3) and has an upstanding leg 13 positioned proximate each comer thereof. The frame 12 (FIGS. 12) is secured together by a plurality of horizontal rods l8 and support brackets 19. Each of the legs 13 contains therein a second adjustable leg 21 having a base pad 22 affixed to the lower end 23 thereof. The legs 21 are adjustable to facilitate leveling the frame 12 on the bottom of a lake or the like.

The pontoon support means 14 is secured to the frame 12 and is generally horizontally disposed. The pontoon support means 14 is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame 12 thereby facilitating removal of the plane from the water.

The pontoon support means 14 comprises a lift plate 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5) having two spaced apart ends 26 and 27 pivotally secured intermediate the ends 26 and 27 to one of said legs 13. Lift members 28 (FIGS. 1-3) of similar configuration are pivotally attached to the other three legs 13. One end 26 of the lift plate 24 is secured to the opposing lift member 28 by a transverse, horizontal bar 29 (FIG. 3) thereby forming a yoke. The lift members 28 on the other end of the frame 12 are likewise connected by a second transverse, horizontal bar 31 thereby forming a second yoke. The lift plate 24 is also secured at the other end 27 to the longitudinally aligned lift member 28 by a longitudinal bar 32 (FIGS. 4-5) and the lift members 28 on the opposing side of the frame 12 are secured together by a second longitudinal bar 33 (FIG. 3). Therefore, when movement is imparted to the lift plate 24, that movement is transmitted to the three lift members 28 and the pontoon support means 14 is either raised or lowered relative to the frame 12.

At one end 26 of the lift plate 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5), a pulley 34 is affixed. A cable 36 secured to the winch means 16 is threaded through this pulley 34, the cable 36 then being secured to the frame 12, and preferably, to one of the legs 13 of the frame 12.

A pontoon platform 37 (FIG. 3) is secured to the horizontal bars 29 and 31. A rigid, transverse front supporting surface 38, usually comprised of transversely disposed redwood planks is utilized to support the front ends 39 of the pontoons 41. The rear ends 42 of the pontoons 41 are formed of much lighter material and must be cradled by the pontoon platform 37. Therefore, the rear portion of the pontoon platform comprises two spaced apart, resilient pontoon supports 43 and 44. These rear supports 43 and 44 can be comprised of styrofoam or the like and can be comprised of rotatable rollers. A substantially vertically disposed bumper 45 is secured to each of these supports 43 and 44 proximate the legs 13.

As movement is imparted to the cable 36, the lift plate 24 rotates (FIG. 4) and moves the pontoon support means 14 upwardly or downwardly. The pontoon platform 37 supports the pontoons 41 of the float plane 46 and prevents damage thereto.

The foldable winch means 16 (FIGS. 4-8) is secured to the frame 12, preferably to the same leg 13 that the lift plate 24 is secured to. The winch means 16 comprises a winch support means 47 or bracket (FIGS. 67) secured to a leg 13. The bracket 47 is normally of boxlike configuration and is open at the top and the bottom. On the front side 48 (FIGS. 4-5) of the bracket 47, a stop 49 is rigidly affixed and positioned to help secure the upstanding member 51 in an upright position or in a folded position will be explained in detail hereinafter.

A pivot axle 52 (FIGS. 6 and 7) extends through the bracket 47 and rotatably secures the upstanding member 51 to the bracket 47. The pivot axle 52 is substantially horizontally disposed and secured in position by a nut 53. A washer 54 is disposed on the pivot axle 52 between the upstanding member 51 and the bracket 47 to facilitate rotation of the upstanding member 51.

A combination sprocket and cable drum 56 (FIGS. 6-7) is rotatably secured on the pivot axle 52 between the front side 48 and the back side 57. The sprocket 58 is of ordinary configuration, being round and having teeth 59 spaced at intervals therearound. The sprocket 58 is affixed, generally by welding to a cable drum 61 having a smaller diameter than the sprocket 58. On the side of the drum 6] opposite the sprocket 58, a retaining member 62 of approximately the same diameter as the sprocket 58 is affixed to ensure that the cable 36 remains on the cable drum 61. The cable 36 can be secured to the cable drum 61 in any convenient manner.

The upstanding member 51 (FIGS. 4-6) has an upper end 63 and a lower end 64 and is rotatably affixed to the pivot axle 52 at the lower end 64. The upstanding member 61 is of sufficient length to place the winch wheel 66, which is attached at the upper end 63 of the upstanding member 61, at about waist level to one standing on a dock 17 adjacent the float plane hoist 11. A chain guard 67 is secured rearwardly of the upstanding member 51 to the pivot axle 52 and the winch wheel axle 68 to protect persons using the float plane hoist 11 from being injured.

An aperture 69 (FIG. 8) is formed through the upper end 63 of the upstanding member 61. A bushing 71 is secured in the aperture 69 and the winch wheel axle 68 is rotatable secured therein. On the rear side 72 of the upstanding member 51, a second sprocket 73 is rigidly affixed to the winch wheel axle 68. This second sprocket 73 is preferably of a smaller diameter than the first sprocket 58, thereby rendering the winch wheel 66 easier to turn. The second sprocket 73 is aligned with the first sprocket 58.

The winch wheel 66 and a rachet 74 (FIGS. 6 and 8) are rigidly mounted on the winch wheel axle 68 on the front side 76 of the upstanding member 51 (FIG. 8). The winch wheel 66 is secured by a nut 77 threadably attached to the end 78 of the winch wheel axle 68. The winch wheel 66 has a relatively large diameter to facilitate raising and lowering of the pontoon support means 14.

A pawl 79 (FIGS. 6 and 8) is secured below the rachet 74 on the upstanding member 51 and is aligned with the rachet 74. The pawl 79 prevents rapid rotation of the winch wheel 66 and holds the pontoon support means 14 in its raised position until released.

A link chain 81 (FIGS. 4-8) connects the sprockets 58 and 73 and transfers movement from the winch wheel 66 to the cable drum 61. The cable 36 secured on the drum 61 extends through the pulley 34 on the lift plate 24 and is attached to the frame 12. Movement of the winch wheel 66 is thereby transferred to the pontoon support means 14.

The upstanding member 51 has rotatably afiixed thereto intermediate its ends 63 and 64 a keeper member 82 (FIGS. 4-5). The keeper member 82 is secured at one end 83 to the upstanding member 51 and has two, spaced-apart lugs 84 and 86 formed thereon. The first lug 84, when secured against the stop 49, secures the upstanding member 51 in a vertical position (FIG. 4). The keeper member 82 can be released from the stop 49 by rotating the keeper member 82 upwardly and the upstanding member 51 can be placed in its folded position (FIG. by securing the second lug 86 against the stop 49.

When the winch means 16 is in the folded position, a float plane 46 can readily be loaded onto or unloaded from the float plane hoist 11 with no danger of damaging the elevators of the plane 46. When the plane 46 is safely on the hoist 11, the winch means 16 can be returned to its upstanding position, and the plane 46 can be readily raised and lowered to and from the water.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described hereinbefore, it is to be remembered that various modifications and alternate constructions can be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A float plane hoist comprising, in combination,

I. a frame having spaced-apart upstanding legs;

2. pontoon support means secured to said frame and generally horizontally disposed, said pontoon support means being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to said frame; and

. foldable winch means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly comprising:

a. winch support means secured to said frame having a stop affixed thereto;

b. a pivot axle affixed to said winch support means and disposed substantially horizontally;

c. a combination sprocket and cable drum rotatably secured on said pivot axle;

d. an upstanding member having an upper end and a lower end and being rotatably affixed on said pivot axle proximate said lower end, said upstanding member when in the upstanding position abutting said stop;

e. a winch wheel axle rotatably mounted on said upper end of said upstanding member, substantially horizontally disposed, and aligned with said pivot axle;

. a winch wheel and a second sprocket rigidly mounted on said winch wheel axle; said second sprocket being aligned with said first sprocket;

g. a chain connecting said first and second sprockets;

h. a cable secured to said cable drum at one end and secured to said pontoon support means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly; and

i. a keeper member having two spaced apart lugs formed thereon rotatably secured at one end to said upstanding member, said lugs being matable with said stop whereby said upstanding member can be secured in an upright position or in a folded position.

2. The float plane hoist of claim 1 wherein said winch support means is a bracket secured to one of said upstanding legs.

3. The float plane hoist of claim 2 wherein said upstanding legs are secured at the respective comers of said frame, and wherein the pontoon support means comprises a lift plate having spaced ends and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one of said posts, said plate having a pulley attached approximate one end thereof through which said cable extends, the other end of said cable being secured to the frame;

a trio of lift members pivotally connected to the remaining posts;

two transverse, horizontal bars and two longitudinal bars interconnecting said plate and said lift members for transmitting movement therebetween;

a pontoon platform secured on said transverse, horizontal bars comprising a rigid, transverse front supporting surface; and two resilient, spaced-apart, rear pontoon supporting surfaces.

4. The float plane hoist of claim 3 wherein outriggers are secured to at least two of said upstanding legs and extend outwardly of the frame. 

1. A float plane hoist comprising, in combination,
 1. a frame having spaced-apart upstanding legs;
 2. pontoon support means secured to said frame and generally horizontally disposed, said pontoon support means being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to said frame; and
 3. foldable winch means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly comprising: a. winch support means secured to said frame having a stop affixed thereto; b. a pivot axle affixed to said winch support means and disposed substantially horizontally; c. a combination sprocket and cable drum rotatably secured on said pivot axle; d. an upstanding member having an upper end and a lower end and being rotatably affixed on said pivot axle proximate said lower end, said upstanding member when in the upstanding position abutting said stop; e. a winch wheel axle rotatably mounted on said upper end of said upstanding member, substantially horizontally disposed, and aligned with said pivot axle; f. a winch wheel and a second sprocket rigidly mounted on said winch wheel axle; said second sprocket being aligned with said first sprocket; g. a chain connecting said first and second sprockets; h. a cable secured to said cable drum at one end and secured to said pontoon support means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly; and i. a keeper member having two spaced apart lugs formed thereon rotatably secured at one end to said upstanding member, said lugs being matable with said stop whereby said upstanding member can be secured in an upright position or in a folded position.
 2. pontoon support means secured to said frame and generally horizontally disposed, said pontoon support means being movable upwardly and downwardly relative to said frame; and
 2. The float plane hoist of claim 1 wherein said winch support means is a bracket secured to one of said upstanding legs.
 3. The float plane hoist of claim 2 wherein said upstanding legs are secured at the respective corners of said frame, and wherein the pontoon support means comprises a lift plate having spaced ends and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one of said posts, said plate having a pulley attached approximate one end thereof through which said cable extends, the other end of said cable being secured to the frame; a trio of lift members pivotally connected to the remaining posts; two transverse, horizontal bars and two longitudinal bars interconnecting said plate and said lift members for transmitting movement therebetween; a pontoon platform secured on said transverse, horizontal bars comprising a rigid, transverse front supporting surface; and two resilient, spaced-apart, rear pontoon supporting surfaces.
 3. foldable winch means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly comprising: a. winch support means secured to said frame having a stop affixed thereto; b. a pivot axle affixed to said winch support means and disposed substantially horizontally; c. a combination sprocket and cable drum rotatably secured on said pivot axle; d. an upstanding member having an upper end and a lower end and being rotatably affixed on said pivot axle proximate said lower end, said upstanding member when in the upstanding position abutting said stop; e. a winch wheel axle rotatably mounted on said upper end of said upstanding member, substantially horizontally disposed, and aligned with said pivot axle; f. a winch wheel and a second sprocket rigidly mounted on said winch wheel axle; said second sprocket being aligned with said first sprocket; g. a chain connecting said first and second sprockets; h. a cable secured to said cable drum at one end and secured to said pontoon support means for moving said pontoon support means upwardly and downwardly; and i. a keeper member having two spaced apart lugs formed thereon rotatably secured at one end to said upstanding member, said lugs being matable with said stop whereby said upstanding member can be secured in an upright position or in a folded position.
 4. The float plane hoist of claim 3 wherein outriggers are secured to at least two of said upstanding legs and extend outwardly of the frame. 